Chapter 302

Australia

John wanted their vehicles inspected before they left the location of the HK drone. Al and Ed checked over the truck and SUV. They didn't find any trackers. There were three of their drones on patrol around them. They found nothing which was a threat. Al used Thermite and destroyed the remains of the HK drone.

They ran their vehicles through an ambush site on the way back. No one followed them. There wasn't anything in the sky. None of it made any sense. They weren't even sure the HK drone came to attack them when they took out the future Gray and first encountered it.

Where did it come from and why was it there? Who was watching them and why?

It was the unknown which bothered them. How did whatever group it was, know where they would be?

Bob formed up with Steve and Tom. They set up the ambush for Al and Ed to run through on their way back to the base. They weren't trailed by any vehicles. No one followed them.

Once the Resistance vehicles were through the ambush site, Bob resumed running down targets on the list he was provided by Ally. He needed to ask Steve and Tom to assist him several times.

He was a little bothered by the emaciated female at the one target location he took down. She regained consciousness after the brutal beating by the future Gray. She could have escaped out the front. She chose to take more drugs instead and ended up terminating herself. The narcotics she used were uncut and in pure form. Just a small amount would have probably caused an overdose. He didn't think it was intentional, but it may have been. He would have taken her to the hospital once he was finished in the back.

Bob wasn't sure if her death was his fault or not. He didn't want Savannah to find out about it. He left it out of his report. He wasn't sure why he did so either. Maybe if he acted at the beginning of her abuse, things might have turned out differently for her. Instead he waited as she was abused. When he decided to act, the arrival of the truck prevented him from doing so. He needed to deal with the Resistance business and find out what he could to help protect the future.

He wanted to concentrate on the task at hand. He took out his phone and called up an image the Gray mentioned. It was a younger photo of the emaciated female. He understood what the future Gray meant now. It seemed to him to be something of beauty, not something to chastise someone over. He would ask Cameron about it sometime. He needed to refocus.

Cameron did an elaborate amount of work to build a cover story for all the events related to the Flores family. She tried to make everything look legal and proper.

She sent a written message from a 'Law Firm'. It informed the Flores family the only other known relative of the wealthy relative who passed away previously, and left them a large sum of money, would be in town and would like to visit them. The members of the Flores family were her only known relatives.

Cameron collected Gail and Jesse. It was time to go.

Ally drove them to the airport. She would like to get a first hand look at Young Jesse. She hoped to capitalize on the fact she was Jesse's 'second' now. If she was supposed to back up Gail, why shouldn't she do it now as well? It seemed very logical to her.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come?" Ally asked. "Extra security is a good thing. It's sort of my job now too."

Cameron didn't like Ally trying to 'crowd' onto the flight. She wanted to keep things as simple as possible to avoid distractions. She figured she would have enough on her plate to keep Gail in line and make sure she didn't do anything to affect the visit. She decided to give Ally a little more latitude to do things in her absence.

"It should be unnecessary." Cameron said. "Things should happen relatively quickly and we should be back in a few days. You can supervise my operation at my base and replace anyone you want. I want you to use common sense and good judgment."

Ally didn't really care for the last part about 'common sense' and 'good judgment'. She didn't think she was like Sheila at all. She decided not to push the issue. She felt Cameron's statement opened up another door.

"Can I try to infiltrate as 'you' with John?" Ally asked.

Cameron doubted Ally could pull it off. There was a chance she could. She also needed to consider Ally was programmed to respond to John's desires if he asked her to. She better put a few restrictions on her.

"As long as you don't take it too far…." Cameron said. "I won't be gone for too long. Don't make me need to come back early."

She made the implication clear with her statement. She felt the consequences of what would happen if Ally got carried away were quite clear. It wouldn't end pleasantly for her.

Ally looked sad. She knew Cameron would deactivate her if she went 'all the way'. She didn't see what it could hurt if she did. It really wasn't a big deal. It wasn't like she could get pregnant or something. John would ravish her sheath for a few minutes and then he'd be done. What was the big deal? No really, what was the big deal?

Cameron didn't want to discourage Ally from trying to improve herself. She would prefer it if Ally would try to make herself look Tight more often. Since she was going to be working with Gail and Jesse, she thought it was something Ally should do. She wanted Ally to 'test' herself. She might be a little surprised at the results.

"See if you can get past Claire first. I want to make sure everything is OK with Holly, Allison, and Hanna." Cameron said. "You won't deceive Savannah. Young Allison will most likely spot you as an 'impostor'. The girls are all very observative and intuitive."

The jet was waiting for Cameron. She previously filed all the paperwork to make it a legitimate 'business trip' and stay off everyone's radar. It was something which happened hundreds of times a day around the nation.

Cameron did a 'walk around the aircraft'. It was something she always did before any flight. Jesse and Gail followed her. Everything was in order as far as she could see. The three girls boarded the jet. She took the controls with Gail at her side. They went through the takeoff procedure and verified all the instruments. The fuel tanks were full. They took off from Van Nuys airport and would follow their flight plan to Australia with a stop in Hawaii along the way.

The flight over the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii was uneventful as far as Cameron was concerned. It was very pleasurable for Jesse and Gail.

Cameron let Jesse know as soon as they passed five thousand feet. They would fly at forty two thousand feet or about eight miles above the surface of the water.

Jesse wanted to join the 'mile high club'. Gail and her promptly did.

Cameron briefly considered putting the jet on autopilot. She could slip out of the cockpit and observe Jesse and Gail together as they shared. She decided not to. She doubted she would see anything new from what she was able to view in Jesse's room when the door wasn't shut tight. The door was seldom ever completely closed. Everyone would always make a point to go down the hall where the room was located so they could take a peek when they knew Jesse was in there.

She didn't think it was a big deal for anyone to stop and look. She did too. It was the reason why the door wasn't shut tight. It was also an open invitation for anyone who wanted to enter the room and join in on the action. It always amused her to watch when Sarah or Riley would stop by and look in. She always hoped one of them would enter, but they never did.

It was Savannah who she was worried about. She would often stop at the door and remain there for long periods of time as she watched everything. It was usually followed by her viewing images and videos on her computer when she left the area. It seemed to be a more frequent occurrence. She would pass by Savannah's room and listen. She knew what Savannah did to satisfy herself. It seemed to be more and more frequent and for longer duration. She didn't know what she should do about it. It was something all of the females did, Savannah just did it more, a lot more.

They stopped in Hawaii to top off the fuel. Cameron invited Young Jesse to sit in the copilot's seat for a while as they took off.

Cameron wanted to view one of the historic locations associated with Hawaii. They passed over Pearl Harbor on the flight out.

"I see Pearl Harbor down there." Jesse said. "It was a raw deal in 1941 for the Yanks."

Cameron didn't want to get into the speculation about the 'politics' behind it. At the time it was clear the socialist minded President wanted to assist the Allies in their fight against the Axis. They needed a 'trigger' to get involved which the American people would 'buy into'. It needed to be something big. There was no other way Americans would support the European war. It was just over twenty years ago when the Great War was fought to end all wars. It wasn't the case.

The American ships being sunk off the coast of New Jersey by U-boats, didn't serve as the trigger for what the President wanted. There were also some engagements with US destroyers in the North Atlantic. One destroyer, the USS Reuben James, was lost in combat prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. It didn't serve as the trigger either. There needed to be a bigger event.

The President and the military knew an attack by the Japanese was coming. They previously broke the code of the potential aggressor. They figured the attack would be on American interests in the Philippines. It was something they were willing to sacrifice. It was the 'trigger' they hoped for. They knew the other Axis powers would declare war on the US. It would allow the President to direct the main thrust of US efforts to 'liberate' Europe. The Pacific campaign took the back burner.

Cameron glanced down at the large natural harbor.

"The attack itself was overrated." Cameron said. "Every ship, except three of them, which were damaged or sunk in the attack were returned to service. All but one of the ships which were re-floated, the USS Oklahoma, fought again. Most of the ships simply needed a plate welded over the holes in the hull, air was pumped in and the ships re-floated. The two ships which remained where they were damaged were the USS Utah. It was a pre World War I battleship used as a 'target ship' for gunnery practice. The other was the USS Arizona. It was a World War I era battleship."

Jesse understood how anything could be spun to either gin up support, or tamper it down, depending upon the situation and what those in power wanted to happen

"It seems everyone hypes it up." Jesse said. "I know the loss of life is always an issue, but if only two ships weren't repaired, and a third one not returned to combat duties, it sounds like poor planning on the aggressor's part."

Cameron saw what happened as a sacrificial lamb to enact the goals of the President. Deceit and corruption was nothing new to the Oval Office.

"Remember, the goal was to get the US involved in the European war and bail out the Allies." Cameron said.

Jesse wondered where the common sense was for a small island nation to engage in such folly. No one likes to get a 'sucker punch'. When it's a 'Sunday punch', quite literally, the response was bound to be decisive.

"It sounds like the attacker signed its own 'death warrant'. Jesse said.

Cameron believed certain types of events repeated themselves throughout history. They were part of the 'currents in time'.

"Skynet should have studied history a little more before it acted." Cameron said. "It made the same overconfident mistakes the Axis powers did. They simply bit off more than they could chew. US industrial might turned out hundreds of pieces of military equipment everyday in the form of tanks, planes, and even a ship a day. At the same time the Axis powers were smashed back a little more everyday."

Jesse thought of the desperation of the aggressors in the Pacific as their empire slowly began to contract.

"I know the Kamikaze attacks inflicted some damage at the end of the war." Jesse said.

Cameron shook her head slowly in disgust.

"All it did was ensure the aggressor would be 'punished' with atomic weapons. They still didn't 'get it' they were defeated." Cameron said. "A couple of mushroom clouds later, they did. Skynet tried to hit hard in the beginning with nuclear weapons, chemical weapons, and biological warfare. They failed. The Resistance formed and the rest is history, for us anyway."

Jesse didn't want to say she was 'glad' about the biological warfare, but it killed off everyone with an 'underlying disease', or a 'pre-existing condition'. Even people with any type of STD died off. It was the only reason she was spared getting infected with any of those as her assaults grew. It made all the survivors the strongest and healthiest people. They were the ones who took the fight to the enemy. They still suffered from plenty of other issues. Malnutrition was one of them. With less humans to feed there was more food for those who were left alive. Skynet hurt itself more than it helped itself with such foolishness.

Gail asked if Jesse could join her in the aft fuselage once they were over the Pacific Ocean again. There was nothing but water under them for the next ten hours. Needless to say, Cameron 'pushed it' a little.

Gail and Jesse spent much of the time sharing with each other as Cameron flew along at around forty two thousand feet.

Even when Jesse rested, Gail continued to 'work' on her and pleasure her. It was a very pleasant flight for Jesse and Gail.

They landed and passed inspection and customs in Australia. The forged documents Cameron fabricated were flawless, like everything she did was. John Henry put their documents in the system where they needed to be.

John Henry made sure all computer related matters were taken care of and any 'red flags' were erased. He also made sure all traces of their activity was removed as soon as they were done.

CamNet oversaw everything and made sure there were no problems.

John Henry made arrangements so there was a car waiting for them at the airport.

Cameron took the wheel.

Gail looked at the streets and traffic with disgust. She didn't like to see things 'backwards'.

"I don't like the way they drive here." Gail said.

Cameron laughed.

"It's not as hard for us to adapt as it is for humans." Cameron said.

Gail thought all vehicles should be designed the same, and operate in the same manner.

"It's still illogical." Gail said.

Jesse was very silent. She was flooded with emotion. She looked out the window and took it all in. She never thought she would see where she grew up at 'back' in such pristine condition. Everything was as she remembered it and undamaged. It was all so beautiful. Things sure looked a lot different from the last time she saw them. Everything was wrecked when she did. It made her hate Skynet more for how it destroyed everything.

Cameron went over the rules with Jesse and Gail. She knew they needed to be careful about what was disclosed and what wasn't. They could talk to Jesse's parents and younger self, but not identify who they really were. She told them of the letter she sent.

It wasn't because she didn't want Jesse's parents to know the 'truth'. She learned from experience the 'truth' was hard for people to accept at first. It was always so impossible for them to comprehend.

Jesse let out a gasp and pointed. Something gripped her from deep inside. Her body was instantly covered with 'goose bumps'.

"There's my sister!" Jesse said as tears filled her eyes. "Look how beautiful she is."

Gail looked and spotted the girl Jesse indicated. Then she spotted something else. She saw 'her'. It was young teenage Jesse - Young Jesse. She thought for a moment she was about to malfunction as a special feeling swept over her. She was instantly captivated.

"There you are, Jesse. I can see Young Jesse." Cameron said.

Cameron thought how beautiful Young Jesse was. She could also see how much they looked alike. They looked identical. It was probably going to affect her plans somewhat going forward.

Gale scanned the area for any threats. It was what she always did wherever they were. She didn't like what she spotted.

"Terminators!" Gail shouted as she started to exit the moving car.

Cameron grabbed Gail's arm to stop her. They weren't Skynet Terminators.

"Wait." Cameron said. "They're part of my Terminator force."

Jesse needed to think about what Cameron just said.

"Do you mean you have Terminators here to protect me, I mean young me, and my family?" Jesse asked.

Jesse remembered Cameron indicated something about 'watching over' her family before. She didn't think there would be Terminators who followed her younger self around so closely for protection.

Cameron felt her actions were justified on several levels.

"Yes. You, 'she' will never face the same threats you once faced." Cameron said. "I promised myself to take care of you for your loyalty and devotion. I keep and honor ALL my promises."

The level of protection touched Gail deeply. To see Young Jesse and find out how protected she was meant something to her.

"You did all those things for Jesse?" Gail asked as she sobbed.

Jesse and Gail both cried at this point as they thanked Cameron.

Cameron didn't think it was a big deal.

Jesse knew her younger self wouldn't be drug screaming out of her hiding place as the men held her down and took turns….

Cameron understood why Gail and Jesse were emotional. She wanted to reaffirm her actions.

"I project the ones I love." Cameron said. "I protect all John's females."

'John may need them at his side one day.' Cameron thought.

Cameron was pleased because not only were there Duplicate versions of the girls from the future, there were also younger versions of them as well.

Gail could see there was going to be a problem. Jesse and Young Jesse looked identical. She ran facial comparisons. There was only an age difference.

"You look so much like 'her'. She's going to recognize you." Gail said.

Cameron could see there might be some issues. She planned to meet with Jesse's parents first before they interacted with Young Jesse.

Jesse was overwhelmed by everything so far. She did think things needed to be taken a step further than Cameron anticipated.

"I'd like Young Jesse to know the truth at some point." Jesse said. "If it was me, I would want to know. It means she would as well."

Cameron didn't want to get ahead of themselves.

"Let's go find your parents and then we can come back." Cameron said. "I can call my Terminators for any updates."

Jesse wanted to influence Young Jesse's life in what she felt was a positive way and to her true calling. There were some things she would prefer not happen.

"Can you tell the Terminators to make sure I, she doesn't date any boys, but only females?" Jesse asked. "I think it will make her life a little less stressful."

Jesse wanted her younger self to only know love and sharing, not use and abuse. She wondered if Young Jesse was still a virgin or not. She figured anyone who looked as hot as she did probably got 'popped' by now. It would have happened in her future years ago. It did for her. It wasn't her choice.

Cameron actually liked the idea. She liked it even better because it was suggested by Jesse in front of both of them.

"I think any boys can be discouraged from hanging around you, her." Cameron said. "I'll relay the information."

Cameron didn't think now was a good time to tell Jesse she gave her Terminators orders along the same lines. Young Jesse was to remain untouched by males. She also knew some other events may dictate a different direction as well.

Jesse felt ashamed she hated Terminators at one point. Now she wanted them as protection for her family and Young Jesse. Sometimes it was hard to see what was best, even if it was right in front of someone.

"Thank you." Jesse said. "You're always thinking of me and my well being."

As it was, Cameron planned to have Young Jesse remain 'untouched' by a male until John needed her anyway. John should have nothing but the best. She wasn't opposed to a female lover for Young Jesse in the meantime. She understood it was nice for someone to have their 'bell rung' once in a while.

They drove for a bit longer.

"We'll pass by your parent's home soon." Cameron said.

Jesse looked around as they drove. They were in a very 'high end' neighborhood now. She briefly wondered if Cameron was lost, but didn't think so.

"This is a way nicer neighborhood than we could afford, Cameron, are you sure?" Jesse asked. "My parents could never afford to live here. We barely earned enough to get by."

Cameron covered all the bases from the start.

"Your parents received a large 'inheritance' from a relative they didn't know they were related to…." Cameron said. "They're wealthy now."

Jesse's mouth dropped open slightly. The depth Cameron went to for her was more than she could've ever even have dreamt. It was very overwhelming to her.

"You did all this for me?" Jesse asked. "Cameron, I don't know what to say."

Cameron appreciated loyalty. She felt it was her duty to do things to protect those she loved. She did want to keep her agenda viable for the future.

"Please don't say anything." Cameron said. "I make sure all my debts are paid. I owe you for your loyalty and service to the Resistance and myself. It's our function to protect the future and John. You must help me protect John."

Jesse thought of the night with Isabel-Cameron. Now Ally was about to be 'closer' to her…. Cameron did pay her debts. Her emotions soon got the best of her.

Gail tried to console Jesse as she sobbed with uncontrollable emotion. She was so overwhelmed. She loved Cameron so much more now than she ever did. Cameron did all this and never said a word to her or anyone.

Jesse knew Cameron did it just for HER. Cameron always helped out everyone in the most meaningful ways. There was nothing she wouldn't do for Cameron….

Later on, Jesse saw her parents at a restaurant when they went out. She just wanted to 'see' them alive again. She stayed out of their sight for today. Tomorrow she would arrive at their house as scheduled by the 'Law Firm' - 'CamNet'.

Cameron wanted Jesse to be careful for now and tomorrow. She also wanted Jesse to have a 'sneak peek' at everything first so she wouldn't be flooded by her feelings. Jesse's tearful response was proof she made the right call. Jesse needed to work through her emotions now, so she could have a little more control tomorrow.

Jesse was so overwhelmed with everything she asked Gail just to hold her at night.

Cameron went out to make contact with her Terminators. She reinforced the information about the boys….

She listened to the report from one of the Terminators.

"There have been two boys who have 'bothered' Young Jesse. There are several other abusive school girls as well." The Terminator said. "I almost needed to intervene on one occasion. I know this is outside of the current mission parameters, but it was almost necessary. The goal is to protect Young Jesse and make sure she remains as safe as possible. I was going to do so."

Cameron wasn't about to let someone abuse Young Jesse.

"The news is very troubling." Cameron said. "If any threat again develops, I want you to make sure it ends the same night, 'forever'. Make it look like an 'accident'."

The Terminator understood the need to not raise suspicions with a termination.

"Affirmative…." The Terminator said.

Cameron wasn't taking any chances.

Nobody put John's girls in a corner.

Closing monologue by Cameron:

Isolation Is Not A Choice

Isolation is not a choice
It is forced upon one
Invisible and unwanted by others
Before you start you are done

Some join the pack lost
Others just hide and run
Some choose different vices
Others pick up a gun

You can't understand how
Things end before they've begun
For every one step forward
Ten are reversed and undone

You always wonder why
You have never ever won
You may not have anything
You are forced to have none

Life's weight crushes you
Smashing your mind like a ton
The mind forever in torment
What was it like to have fun

Nobody